Ancillary Fee Referenda

Carleton University

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The 2026 Writ of Election for the Carleton University Ancillary Fee Referenda has been issued by Melanie Chapman, University Ombudsperson and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

Referenda will be held for:

Voting days will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 and Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG)

Important note: this question is being posed to undergraduate students.

The volunteer-run Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) advocates for the academic interests of all undergraduate students, supporting and enhancing their experience at Carleton University. CASG’s advocacy efforts, such as Compassionate Grading, Syllabus Archive Initiative, and ongoing work to promote transparency around the use of artificial intelligence ensure that students are represented when it comes to their education. In addition to its advocacy, CASG reinvests in the student community by contributing to student scholarships, club funding, and the Study Snack program.

The existing $0.73 per-term levy is no longer sufficient to sustain CASG’s existing services, due to rising operational costs and the continued reliance on reserve funds, most of which accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the long-term stability of the organization, CASG is proposing a $0.44 increase to its per-term levy. This increase is intended to maintain and protect CASG’s existing programs and to support the organization’s sustainability moving forward.

Question

Do you support increasing the existing $0.73 per term Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) fee by an additional $0.44 – for a total of $1.17 per term – starting in May 2026, pro-rated for part-time students, and adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index?

The Leveller

Important note: this question is being posed to graduate students.

According to their website, The Leveller is a publication covering news, current events, and culture at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa/Gatineau region and, to a lesser extent, the wider world. It is intended to provide readers with a lively portrait of their campus and community and of the events that give it meaning. It is also intended to be a forum for provocative editorializing and lively debate on issues of concern to post-secondary students, staff, and faculty as well as Ottawa residents.

At present, the $2.17 per‑term fee that supports The Leveller, indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index, is a mandatory, non‑opt‑out levy for graduate students. This referendum question asks whether students wish to introduce choice for those who do not want to contribute to this compulsory fee.

Question

Do you support making the existing $2.17 per term fee, pro-rated for part-time students and indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index, for “The Leveller” refundable (opt-out) starting in May 2026?

Carleton Public Interest Research Group (Carleton PIRG) 

Important note: this question is being posed to graduate students.

Carleton Public Interest Research Group (Carleton PIRG) is a student-funded non-profit organization that has operated at Carleton University through a referendum-approved levy since 1981. In 2024, Carleton PIRG formally defederated from the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) provincial network and now operates as an independent organization.

According to their website, Carleton PIRG is a student-led, student-funded non-profit based at Carleton University. They aim to research, educate, and provide action on social and environmental justice using a non-hierarchical and consensus-based space for students to organize.

At present, Carleton PIRG receives a levy of $4.54 per semester for full‑time graduate students and $1.36 per semester for part‑time graduate students. This referendum asks graduate students to decide whether Carleton PIRG should continue to receive this levy funding as an independent organization following its defederation from the OPIRG.

Do you support maintaining the Carleton PIRG levy fee of $4.54 per term, pro-rated for part-time students, as of May 2026, now that Carleton PIRG is an independent organization, following its defederation from the OPIRG?

NPSIA Students’ Association (NSA)

Important note: this question is being posed to master’s students of The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA).

The NPSIA Students’ Association (NSA) is dedicated to representing and supporting all students within the School of Public and International Affairs. Its mandate includes fostering academic and professional development, promoting community and engagement within the program, and organizing events and initiatives that enhance the overall student experience. Each year, the NSA coordinates workshops, networking opportunities, social events, and the annual Soirée—contributions that enrich the academic, professional, and social life of NPSIA students.

In recent years, the NSA has experienced a loss of several traditional funding sources, creating financial pressures that limit its ability to sustain this level of programming. To ensure the continuity of these initiatives, the Executive Committee is proposing a $20‑per‑term levy for all NPSIA master’s students enrolled in at least one NPSIA course per term.

This levy would provide stable funding for key NSA activities—including workshops, community events, and the annual Soirée—which sponsorships and fundraising alone cannot reliably support. The levy would provide the security we need to preserve these valued traditions and ensure future NPSIA students can benefit from the same vibrant community we enjoy today.

Question

Do you support the introduction of a $20 per‑term levy (Fall and Winter) for the NSA, to be applied to all NPSIA master’s students registered in a minimum of one course beginning in May 2026 and indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index?

Voting

Voting days will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 and Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Voting will be held online, and all ballots will be conducted electronically and sent to students’ university-issued email (cMail) account as appropriate.

Campaign Period

The campaign period will begin on Monday, February 23, 2026 at noon (12:00 p.m.), with the last day of campaigning ending on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. 

Committee Registration Period

The CEO is inviting those interested in participating in a YES or NO committee regarding the upcoming referenda to register as part of their chosen committee by email to the CEO (melaniechapman@cunet.carleton.ca) no later than Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Note: There shall be only one YES committee and one NO committee for each referendum question and no more than 1/4 of the total YES or NO committee membership can be non-students. A public debate will be scheduled if there are both YES and NO committees for each referendum question.

Each committee will also require a Chair, to act as a liaison with the CEO.

Student Referendum Procedures

The student referendum procedures document (PDF, 60 KB) describes the process for the conduct of a referendum concerning the approval of an increase in ancillary fees. This protocol applies to these referenda, with one procedural change, which was proposed by the Ombudsperson and accepted by the Ancillary Fee Committee. The procedural change pertains to the review and adjudication of violations and is explained in more detail at the end of the protocol.

More Information

For more information, please review the official 2026 writ of election for the Carleton University Ancillary Fee Referenda.

All enquiries or concerns regarding the referendum, campaigning, polling process and conduct should be referred to the CEO via email.

Historical Referendum Results

Below is a list of recent referendum results for historical purposes.